Taxi driver viciously assaulted and left with double broken jaw

THE FAMILY of a taxi driver who was viciously assaulted in broad daylight by a cyclist and left with a double broken jaw, have appealed to the public for information of the attack.

Stephen Hurley (58) was driving through the junction in Clondalkin at Boot Road/Kilwarden Court apartments, on Tuesday, January 3, turning onto Convent Road, when one of his wing mirrors “went flying”.

“I got out to have a look, this fella came across, started to hit and punch me, knocked me to the ground,” Mr Hurley told The Echo.

The assault occurred at approximately 3pm.

The Echo understands the white male attacker is over 6 foot in height with a Dublin accent.

Mr Hurley spent five days in St James’s hospital and underwent a four hour operation to repair both jaws broken in the attack.

An x-ray of Stephen Hurley’s broken double jaw

What could be important to the garda investigation into the attack, is that there were a number of witnesses crossing the road at the time, and other drivers in cars passing by.

Someone took photos and another took a video, which was sent privately to the family of the taxi driver.

“The video captures the very end of the assault. A lady came to my aid and he took a swipe at her,” said Stephen.

Ironically, the taxi driver had just dropped a fare to Tallaght Hospital and was on his way back to Clondalkin Village when the attack occurred.

“I’ve had a hip replacement but never felt pain like I did from the jaw operation,” said Stephen, who is currently only able to digest food via liquids.

He is also out of work for at least three months, not entitled to any sick pay and doesn’t hold out much hope for help in social welfare assistance.

“I’ve been driving a taxi for 20/30 years and nothing like this has ever happened – 99 per cent of the clients are good people of Clondalkin.

“In fairness I don’t think I was picked on, he just took offence.

“One of the biggest inconveniences is my glasses broke.

“I have to wear an old pair and scheduled an appointment with the optician for a new pair which won’t be cheap.”

Stephen had to travel to three hospitals over the course of 24 hours before he could get the treatment he needed at St James’s Hospital.

“The first operation was 20 minutes, but the second operation was three hours, very intricate.

“They told me I might have nerve damage,and could be paralysed.”

He reported the incident to gardai, and says they have been very good keeping in touch with him.

Superintendent Anthony Twomey, Clondalkin Garda Station, appealed to any person with information to contact Clondalkin Garda Station at 666 7600.

He said: “We are pursuing an investigation and are making reasonably good progress.

“If anyone was in the area at the time, particularly drivers with dash cam footage, we would encourage them to contact us.

“It was a despicable assault. The person on the bike probably uses the route frequently, we’d appeal for them to make contact with gardai also.”